Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Giardiasis among Children in District Anantnag of Kashmir Valley, India

The present study aims to determine the prevalence of giardiasis among different age groups, sexes and rural/urban categories of children in district Anantnag of Kashmir valley and to find out the risk factors associated with it. A total of 268 samples were collected out of which 8.2% were found to be positive for giardiasis. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in case of male children (10.4%) than in females (6.29%). The prevalence rate was highest in the age group of 5-8 years (13.7%) and least in the age group of 13-15 years (3.88%). The difference in prevalence rate among different age groups was statistically significant. Rural urban comparison showed that children in rural areas (9.87%) were more infected than the children in urban areas (6.03%). Source of drinking water, defecation site, education of mother and personal hygiene proved to be important factors which influenced the prevalence rates among children.